The British public was surprised last week by the joint announcement of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, hosts of the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, that they would be stepping down from their roles. Tess, aged 56, and Claudia, aged 53, have been the show’s hosting duo since 2014, with Tess having been part of the presenting team since 2004.
During their recent appearance on Strictly, the pair acknowledged the news and expressed gratitude for the supportive messages they received. Claudia mentioned their upcoming eight weeks on the show and the excitement of crowning a new Strictly champion alongside the audience.
Following the announcement, there has been speculation about the future plans of both presenters and potential new ventures they may pursue. In an interview, Tess humorously dismissed the idea of joining Claudia on Celebrity Traitors, citing her lack of a good poker face and joking about relying on Claudia for secret signals.
Tess, who was honored with an MBE earlier this year for her contributions to broadcasting, emphasized the significance of her role as a mother to her daughters Phoebe and Amber, whom she shares with Vernon Kay. Despite her professional achievements, Tess highlighted her love for motherhood and the importance of being present in her children’s lives.
A TV source suggested that Tess and Claudia’s decision to leave Strictly may have been influenced by their recent MBE awards, wanting to exit on a high note while the show remains popular. The timing of their announcement, mid-series, allows for a graceful exit and ensures the focus remains on the show and its contestants.
Claudia, currently at the peak of her career with The Traitors and other TV opportunities coming her way, is poised for new ventures, while Tess, after over two decades of hosting, looks forward to spending more quality time with her family and friends on weekends.